- The suspect in the attack on New Year's Day visited New Orleans twice before the attack, recording video of the city on smart glasses.
- Jabbar declared his support for ISIS and is believed to have acted alone in the attack.
- He also placed two improvised explosive devices in the city, both were recovered undetonated.
Officials have revealed that the man responsible for the deadly truck attack on New Year’s Day in New Orleans visited the city twice before and placed explosive devices on the day of the attack.
The suspect has been identified as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, who was killed in a firefight with police officers during the incident.
Jabbar was a U.S. born citizen from Texas who served in the U.S. Army from 2007 to 2015 and was in the Army reserve until 2020, per ABC.
During his military service, he worked as an IT and human resources specialist. After leaving the Army he worked at Deloitte in a staff-level position.
Here is a look at four things that have been learned about Jabbar and the attack which killed 14 people:
He visited New Orleans beforehand and recorded video on smart glasses
Before the attack, Jabbar visited New Orleans twice and during the trips he recorded video of the French Quarter using smart glasses, per The Associated Press.
The previous trips were made in October and November, during which Jabbar stayed in a rental home.
Jabbar recorded videos on smart glasses from Meta as he rode a bike around the city. The glasses are capable of recording video, taking photos and livestreaming. Jabbar was wearing the glasses during the attack but did not activate them for livestreaming, per the AP.
Officials found the glasses on the man’s body, but there is no indication that he recorded the attack at all, per NBC.
Suspect declared support for the Islamic state militant group
According to the AP, federal officials believe Jabbar was inspired by the Islamic State militant group to commit the attack.
Before the attack, Jabbar posted multiple videos online in which he declared his support for ISIS. He also mentioned that he joined ISIS before this summer and there was an ISIS flag found in the back of his truck, per ABC.
In a statement on Thursday authorities said they believe Jabbar acted alone. The attack has been referred to as a premeditated “act of terrorism,” per ABC.
Jabbar also placed 2 explosive devices in the city
According to the AP, the FBI has released surveillance footage which shows Jabbar placing two improvised explosive devices in the French Quarter shortly before the attack.
One of the explosive devices, which was placed in a cooler, had been “unwittingly” moved about a block by someone who had nothing to do with Jabbar or the attack, per ABC.
The devices were recovered undetonated by officials, both were equipped with receivers and there was a transmitter found in the back of Jabbar’s truck.
Officials also found bomb-making materials in Jabbar’s home. It seems that he used a chemical compound commonly available in the U.S. known as RDX, per the AP.
Jabbar attempted to burn down his rental before the attack
Jabbar was staying at a rental home in the area and when he left on the night of the attack he tried to set the house on fire.
He poured gasoline on a linen closet and in other areas of the house and then set it on fire, “apparently hoping to destroy the property and any evidence left inside,” per ABC.
Before reaching other accelerants in the home, the fire smothered itself and the New Orleans Fire Department arrived in time to prevent extensive damage.
Because of the limited damage, investigators were able to find explosive materials and other evidence Jabbar left behind.